Senior Optical Engineer

About the role

You will serve as the definitive expert on non-sequential ray tracing and stray light mitigation within the Xcimer Energy development environment. This position requires you to own the complex modeling and design of optical layouts that directly address parasitic light paths such as ghosts, hot spots, and fringing effects. Your analysis will be critical in ensuring that high-energy DUV systems operate safely, efficiently, and without performance degradation. You will act as a primary technical authority, collaborating across disciplines to translate system requirements into robust optical solutions. Your work will involve the direct implementation of mechanical features into non-sequential software to validate baffles and beam dumps. You will be responsible for automating intricate analyses through custom scripting to handle large datasets effectively. This role is fundamental to the deployment of fusion power plants that meet aggressive global decarbonization goals. By joining Xcimer, you will help power a better world with inertial fusion energy.

Key facts

What you'll do

Perform non-sequential ray tracing analysis to identify and mitigate stray light paths that degrade optical system performance. This includes the detailed tracing of photons through complex, non-sequential optical systems to locate energy deposits that reduce system integrity.

Design complex optical layouts that specifically target the reduction of ghosts, hot spots, and fringing effects in high-energy DUV environments. You will create configurations that preserve system throughput and longevity.

Implement mechanical feature models, including baffles and beam dumps, directly into non-sequential ray tracing software for validation. This ensures physical light management components are verified for effectiveness prior to manufacturing.

Write custom scripts to automate complex analyses and streamline the processing of large datasets for optical performance reviews. Automation will be essential for handling the volume of data generated by high-fidelity simulations.

Collaborate closely with sequential optical designers to ensure alignment between sequential and non-sequential optical designs. This coordination maintains design consistency and performance integrity across the optical development lifecycle.

Work in tandem with opto-mechanical engineers to ensure that mechanical designs are compatible with optical performance requirements. You will interface with mechanical layouts to verify mounting strategies and thermal stability.

Partner with material scientists to select and validate materials that mitigate parasitic light paths and prevent optical damage. This includes assessing material reflectivity, absorption, and damage thresholds under high-energy DUV exposure.

Coordinate with optical systems engineers to integrate stray light mitigation strategies into the overall system architecture. You will ensure that local optical solutions support global system objectives.

Generate detailed reports on stray light analysis results to inform design decisions and system integration. These reports will document energy distribution, risk areas, and recommended design modifications.

Lead the development of best practices for non-sequential ray tracing and stray light mitigation within the engineering team. You will establish standards that improve analysis quality and team efficiency.

Utilize advanced modeling techniques to predict and eliminate potential optical damage pathways caused by parasitic light. This proactive approach prevents performance loss and hardware failure.

Contribute to the creation of high-fidelity simulations that support the rapid execution of fusion technology development. Your models will accelerate the validation of inertial fusion energy concepts.

Analyze data from non-sequential models to drive iterative improvements in optical system safety and efficiency. This data-driven feedback loop ensures continuous performance enhancement.

Serve as the primary technical authority for non-sequential optical engineering questions and solutions. You will provide definitive guidance and decision support to cross-functional partners.

Requirements

Must possess a Bachelor's degree in Optical Engineering, Physics, or a closely related technical field. Your academic background must provide a foundation in wave optics, geometric optics, and radiative transfer.

Must have extensive experience with non-sequential ray tracing software and stray light analysis techniques. Proficiency with tools used to model complex optical systems is mandatory.

Must demonstrate a deep understanding of optical propagation, reflection, and scattering in complex systems. This includes managing coherence effects, diffraction, and polarization where applicable.

Must be proficient in scripting languages to automate optical analyses and data processing tasks. Automation scripts must be robust, version-controlled, and scalable.

Must have a proven track record of designing solutions to mitigate ghosts, hot spots, and fringing effects. Your portfolio should include documented case studies or measurable performance improvements.

Must be able to work effectively in a highly collaborative, cross-functional engineering environment. You will regularly interface with mechanical, material, and systems engineering teams.

Must be comfortable working with high-energy DUV optical systems and the associated safety protocols. Experience with ultraviolet radiation hazards and laser safety standards is essential.

Must have strong problem-solving skills and the ability to translate system requirements into optical design constraints. You will balance performance, cost, and buildability in your solutions.

Nice to have

Experience with Inertial Fusion Energy (IFE) applications or high-energy laser systems. Direct exposure to high-repetition-rate laser optics and vacuum ultraviolet environments is highly valuable.

Familiarity with Xcimer's specific technology stack and research methodologies. Prior knowledge of advanced laser architectures and diagnostic techniques will accelerate your contribution.

Practical notes

This is a full-time, onsite role based at our headquarters in Denver, CO.